Charles burnham



(No Model.)

C. BURNHAM.

TROUSERS STRETUHER. Y 110.572,155. A Patented Dec. 1, 1896.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. l

CHARLES BURNHAM, OF ROCHESTER, NEV YORK, ASSIGNOR O11" ONE-HALF TOLAURISTON L. STONE AND THOMAS L. FOULKES, OF SAME PLACE.

TROUSERS-STRETCHER.

ASPEGIFICATIO1\1' forming part of Letters Patent No. 572,155, datedDecember 1, 1896.

Application filed J une 5, 1896. Serial No. 594,378. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES BURNHAM, of Rochester, in the county ofMonroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Trousers-Shapers; and I do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,and to the reference-numerals marked thereon.

My present invention has for its objects to provide a device adaptedparticularly for shaping the legs of trousers while being shrunk, butalso capable of use as a stretching device for holding and creasing themand to these ends it consists in the improved construction hereinafterfully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims atthe end of this specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device constructedin accordance' with my invention; Figs. 2 and 3, sectional views on thelines o; and y y, respectively.

Similar reference-numerals in the several figures indicate similarparts.

The Shaper consists generally of two mem-- bers" or rods 1 2, preferablyof metal, connected at opposite ends by elastic links or spring-arms 3and 4, so as to move substantially parallel, as in dotted lines. Themembers 1 and 2 are preferably curved, as shown, to approximate theshape to be given to the trousers-leg, the pivotal connection betweenthem and the ends of the elastic connectinglinks 3 and et being formedby bending` the ends of the members over and forming eyes on the ends ofthe links, through which are passed screws 5 or similar fastenings. Tothe lower portion of the member 1 is secured an arm 6, the forward endextending a short distance forward of the member and being serrated, asshown,the teeth thus formed serving to engage and hold the inner side ofthe facing or band at the lower end of the trousers-leg to prevent itsslipping, and a stop 7 is arranged a slight distance below theserrations to properly position the trousers. The rearward portion ofthe arm 6 extends toward the member 1, and is provided with a catch forengaging with a telescoping link connecting the lower ends of themembers and preventing the approach of the members 1 and 2 toward eachother, excepting by the compression of the spring-links 3 and 4f. Thetelescoping link is composed of an outer tubular part S, pivot-ed to thescrew 5 on the member 2, and an inner part or rod 9, pivoted on thescrew 5 at the lower end of the member 1. A spring 10, encircling thepart 9 and engaging the member 1 and part S, assists in keeping thelower ends of the members separate. The spring-catch, preferablyemployed for locking the parts in the position in full lines, is

device consisting inthe present constructionl of a projection 12 on themember and a pivotedv clamp 13, formed of a piece of wire pivoted' atits lower end on the screw 5 and bent around to form the operating end13, and the two arms adapted to project onopposite sides of theprojection 12 and grasp the leg of the trousers, holding it iirmly.

' When the device is to be used for shrinking and shaping trousers,which is the primary object to be attained by its use, the members areturned to the position (collapsed form) shown in dotted lines, and it isthen thrust into the lower end of the leg, the lower forward edge of theleg being against the stop 7 Then the members are brought into theposi'- tion shown in full lines against the tension of the spring-linksand also of the spring on the telescoping link, if one is used. The rearportion of the end of the trousers-leg is placed over the projection l2,and the clamp 13 is turned over and securely holds it.

The members being separated by yielding substantially as shown in orderto correctlyV At the lower end of the member IOO shape the legs, buttheir exact configuration need not be preserved,but could be changed asdesired, and while l prefer to use Ithe clamps and holding devices ofthe particular form shown at the lower end of the members these alsocould be variedK without departing from my invention.

I claim as my inventionl. The combination withthe'two members or rodshaving holding devices at their ends to engage a trousers-leg, of thelinks 3 and 4 composed of single pieces of spring metal, pivotallyconnected at each end to the ends of said members leavinga space betweenthem, and locking devices independent of said spring-links for holdingthe members substantially parallel but permitting their approach by theflexing oi the links, substantially as described.

2. The combination with thel two members, of the links 3 and 4 composedof single pieces of spring metal pivoted to the ends of the membersleaving a free space between them, the link formed in two parts slidingone upon the other and one connected to each member, and a catch carriedby one member and engagin g said link for holding the members separated,but permitting them to yield against the tension of the spring-links,substantially as described.

3. The combination with the two members, of the spring-links 3 and 4pivoted to the ends of said members leaving a free space between them,the telescopic link pivoted to the members at opposite ends,thearm 6 andthe springcatch thereon engaging the telescopic link, substantially asdescribed.

4. The combination with the two members or rods, of the spring-links 3and 4 pivoted to their opposite ends leaving a free space between them,the telescopic link, the arm 6, and the wire catch attached to onemember extending through the arm and having the portion engaging thetelescopic link, substantially as described.

5. The combination with the members 1 and 2, of the spring-links 3 and 4pivoted at their ends to the members, the stops 7 and 12, the serratedcatch on one member, the pivoted catch 13, and fastening devices forholding the members separated, but permitting their movement bytheyielding of the spring-links, substantially as described.

6. The combination with the two members or rods, of the spring-links 3and 4 pivoted to their ends leaving a free space between them,

the spur or holding-catch on the lower end of one member, the pivotedwire catch at the corresponding end of the other member, the telescopiclink pivoted to the members, the arm 6 and catch on said arm engagingthe telescopic link, substantially as described.

CHARLES BURNHAM. lVitnesses:

THos. L. FoULKEs, F. F. CHURCH.

